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Can a villain become a hero again? That’s the big question on this week’s episode of Fox’s Gotham. After all the death, destruction, and mayhem caused in Gotham City, it’s hard for a big baddie to change his or her spot and become a whole new person. Just look at Oswald’s big return to villainy last week!

Certain future Batman villains, like Hugo Strange and Edward Nygma, are content with being a big bad foe—they thrive in the criminal world and embrace their evil side. But for others, like the newly awake Barbara Kean and Oswald Cobblepot, they’re trying (or have tried) to turn a new leaf and become good. Most fail in their change (looking at you, Oswald!), but does that mean it’s the same for everyone? Could a few of our favorite big baddies potentially be off this list by season’s end?

As with previous villain lists, the standout Gotham villains from this week’s episode will be ranked for their villainy, their destruction, and their rise to power.

Let’s start with the worst:

FUMBLING FOES
6. The LadyA bad decision has come back to haunt a former leader. “The Lady” was once the head of a dangerous criminal organization; she managed a large group of assassins and determined contract hits in Gotham City. Unfortunately for her, since the failed assassination attempt earlier this season, she has lost all her power and standing in the city, being left to face potential retirement. Even without the power, though, The Lady is still well connected.

James Gordon and Barbara Kean search for the former leader, as she might know the identity of the person who contracted the hit on the Waynes. The Lady still has some power, holding it in prominence at the downtown members-only club in Gotham City, but she isn’t a match for a more cunning villain. The Lady is shocked and knocked out after being tricked into giving up all her information.

PLENTY OF POTENTIAL
5. Barbara KeanBarbara is trying to be a better person. After waking from her coma and visiting the love of her life, she wants to prove to James Gordon that she’s a different person and not the villain he once knew.

She follows him to the members-only club, and after he’s unable to get in, she takes on more responsibility. She makes quick friends with The Lady and convinces her that she wants to be an assassin, kidnapping James Gordon and bringing out her psychotic-villain side once again to prove herself. This, in actuality, is all a ruse!

Barbara manipulates The Lady into giving her the information before shocking the former leader and knocking her out. This act would have impressed James before, but he doesn’t trust Barbara and can’t forgive her. Feeling heartbroken and alone, Barbara runs back into the arms of her former lover, Tabatha (aka Tigress), and her new ally, Butch. Could this be the beginning of Barbara’s return to the villain side?

4. Theo Galavan (aka Azrael)Not much has been seen of Theo Galavan since his death earlier this season. He disappeared and wasn’t expected to come back—he did die, after all. In reality, Hugo Strange, Ethel Peabody, and the scientists of the facility were experimenting on him in their pursuit to bring someone back from the dead.

Their experiment is a success: Theo Galavan is back from the dead and reinvigorated with a new sense of purpose, calling himself “Azrael.” There’s no telling what he will do once he’s unleashed onto the streets of Gotham City.

THE BIG BADDIES
3. Victor Fries (aka Mr. Freeze)The bone-chilling doctor is back from his stay in Arkham Asylum. Since his wife’s death a few episodes ago, Victor was hidden away within Strange’s facility as a lab rat, confined to live in the freezing cold forever. Hugo Strange thinks it’s time to unleash Victor back into the city to help accomplish a mission: Kill Karen Jennings. But only if it’s with a few improvements!

With help from the two doctors, Mr. Freeze is sporting his brand-new, state-of-the-art ice suit. He freezes the ground and forces a standoff with James Gordon, Alfred, and Bruce Wayne. However, Victor accomplishes his mission—he kills Karen Jennings. And yet there were two others who outranked Victor in this episode …

2 & 1. Hugo Strange and Ethel PeabodyOnce again, for another week, the doctors are sharing the same spot on the list. The two are working in tandem, overseeing the experiments at Arkham Asylum and unleashing villains back into Gotham City. While it’s revealed that Hugo might be the person who contracted the hit on the Waynes, the two remain at the top of this week’s list for their successful play with their pet projects.

They not only bring Theo Galavan back from the dead, but successfully accomplish their mission of killing Karen Jennings (one of their first experiments, who escaped) using a new and improved baddie. Victor Fries (Mr. Freeze) is sporting a new suit created by the pair, which proves to be a success. With these three accomplishments, both Hugo Strange and Ethel Peabody earn the top spots on this week’s Gotham list.

Which villains do you think are rising to the occasion? Share your thoughts below!

Expression Of JoyThe Brady Bunch: Groovy! The Bradys: Ritual hugging Married…With Children: ”Oh, great.” Thirtysomething: ”Of course I’m happy for you. Really. But what about me? Why does it always have to be about you? The Flintstones: ”Yabba-dabba doo

Expression Of Rage

The Brady Bunch: ”Hmmm…” The Bradys: ”If you back away from something you really want, then you’re a quitter!” (the angriest any Brady has ever been) Married…With Children: ”Aaagh, God, take me from this miserable life!” Thirtysomething: ”I’m not angry, OK?” The Flintstones: ”Willllmaaaa!”

Typical ProblemThe Brady Bunch: Marcia and her rival both want to be the prom queen. The Bradys: Bobby gets paralyzed. Married…With Children: Al doesn’t buy his family Christmas presents. Thirtysomething: Nancy gets cancer. The Flintstones: Fred and Barney are staying out too late.

Typical SolutionThe Brady Bunch: The prom committee decides to have two queens. The Bradys: Bobby gets married. Married…With Children: They hate him. Thirtysomething: If only we knew… The Flintstones: Wilma and Betty decide to follow them.

Attitude Toward SexThe Brady Bunch: Never heard of it The Bradys: Omigod — even Cindy does it! Married…With Children: Peg: Yes. Al: No. Thirtysomething: They didn’t get all those kids by accident. The Flintstones: Prehistoric

How Spouses FightThe Brady Bunch: They don’t. The Bradys: Infrequently, but it happens Married…With Children: Tooth and nail Thirtysomething: They stop talking The Flintstones: Fred and Barney go bowling while Wilma and Betty max out their charge cards.

How Kids Get Into TroubleThe Brady Bunch: Greg takes a puff of a cigarette. The Bradys: Carol’s grandson steals her business cards and sticks them in the spokes of Bobby’s wheelchair. Married…With Children: By committing felonies Thirtysomething: Ethan plays with a forbidden toy rocket. The Flintstones: They don’t.

How They’re Punished

The Brady Bunch: ”It’s not what you did, honey — it’s that you couldn’t come to us.” The Bradys ”Next time, ask.” Married…With Children: By the authorities Thirtysomething: It blows up in his face. The Flintstones: They’re not.

What Family Does For FunThe Brady Bunch: Takes special three-part vacations to Hawaii and the Grand Canyon The Bradys: Has flashbacks Married…With Children: Exchanges insults Thirtysomething: Talks The Flintstones: Attends showings of The Monster at the Bedrock Drive-In

Unsolved MysteriesThe Brady Bunch: How exactly did Carol’s first husband and Mike’s first wife die? The Bradys: What’s with Marcia’s new face and Bobby’s blonde hair Married…With Children: What kind of hair spray does Peg use? Thirtysomething: Why did Nancy take Elliot back? What do Gary and Susanna see in each other? The Flintstones: How does Barney’s shirt stay on if he has no shoulders? Where do Fred and Wilma plug in their TV?

Worst BehaviorThe Brady Bunch: The Brady children once made Alice feel under-appreciated.

Best Reason To WatchThe Brady Bunch: This is what life should be. The Bradys: They’re all grown-ups now! Married…With Children: Terry Rakolta hates it. Thirtysomething (Tie) This is your life. This isn’t your life. The Flintstones: This is what life might have been.

Best Reason Not To WatchThe Brady Bunch: Blurred vision from rerun overdoses. The Bradys: You’re all grown-ups now. Married…With Children: She has a point. Thirtysomething: After a while, you think it’s real. The Flintstones: The Simpsons